Beem-Ja is an Argonian sorcerer camped outside Ironbind Barrow with his companion Salma. He plays the patient, cautious guardian who keeps telling her to slow down. That act lasts exactly until the final chamber.
Where to find them
You meet the pair just outside the barrow’s entrance, where Salma is itching to go in and Beem-Ja insists they gather their strength first. Once you head inside, they follow you through the tomb.
Quests
In Coming of Age, Salma ropes you into their hunt for the tomb of Warlord Gathrik. Beem-Ja fights alongside you on the way down and is protected while the quest runs, so stray spells won’t finish him early.
After Gathrik falls, Beem-Ja drops the mask. He thanks you for being useful, explains that fully absorbing Gathrik’s power needs a blood sacrifice, and decides yours will do nicely. Cue the fight.
Pickpocket or loot him and you’ll find a letter that explains a lot. Salma’s father doesn’t trust Beem-Ja, but agreed to let him go after Gathrik in exchange for a book he badly wants, as long as he kept Salma safe. That book is 2920, vol 10 – Frostfall, a Conjuration skill book. The letter also hints that he served Salma’s father and that the deal involved his freedom and a past in Black Marsh he would rather keep quiet.
Personality & relationships
On the surface Beem-Ja is calm and sensible, the voice of caution next to Salma’s reckless enthusiasm. He has apparently looked after her since she was small, which makes the betrayal sting even more. In practice he’s ambitious, patient and willing to use anyone as a stepping stone.
Good to know
Enter the barrow at a high level and Gathrik shows up in a much nastier form. Players with Dead Thrall sometimes bring Beem-Ja back as a permanent undead support caster, which feels like fair payback. He is also known to occasionally forget to put his robes on and fight naked.
Quick facts
- Race: Argonian
- Gender: Male
- Level: levels with you (x1.2)
- Class: Sorcerer
- Status: Protected
- Found in: Ironbind Barrow
- Base ID: 0006CD5B
Also in Ironbind Barrow
Race, level, class and factions read from the Skyrim game files; story details checked against community wiki articles and written in our own words.